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in full flow Competitors at Inchlonaig in the Inch by Inch SwimRun

andy’s on tour Not only has Andy Kirkpatrick made his name climbing in some of the world’s most inhospitable places, but he’s also a great story-teller and comedian. You can enjoy his unique style of entertainment on this year’s UK & Ireland Tour called Cold Mountain. Andy will be will taking in five Scottish tour venues in November, including Glasgow on the 21st. See andy-kirkpatrick.com for details and tickets.

Have Take plunge for you tried? kit of the week Trakke packs Scottish brand Trakke’s outdoors bags island adventure and packs boast a retro styling but with modern features. SwimRun hit ground The company was founded by Alec running Arriving Farmer and hand-makes all the bags to at order in their Glasgow workshop. racing The bags range from hiking rucksacks and cycling messenger bags to totes What is it? and pouches. A new collection of 1950s A SwimRun is a point-to-point Scouts-inspired bags includes a small endurance race in teams of two backpack, satchel, duffle bag and tote. with multiple running and The bags are created with British swimming stages. Most events sourced materials, such as waxed FIONA take place in lakes or lochs and cotton from Dundee, Hebridean Tweed, include open-water swimming padding foam made in Glasgow and RUSSELL Derbyshire webbing. between running sections Alec said: “Our bags are practical on islands. for outdoors use and also make great Inspired by a classic Tell me more: The original lifestyle accessories. We have based SwimRun race, the Ötillö, took our designs on 1950s styles but also event in Sweden place in Sweden in 2006 on the with very modern features.” See www.trakke.co.uk Stockholm archipelago. Ötillö 10 years ago, means “island-to-island” and is now it sees athletes travel 24 islands the format of open water Anything else to know? by running across them and swimming and trail running.” SwimRun athletes are required diving into swimming between them. Ewan added: “The setting to wear wetsuits and carry challenging The total distance of the was superb for this race.” mandatory kit in a dry bag as Swedish event is 75km of which On September 26, Loch Gu they race. A floatation aid, SwimRuns, 10km is open-water swimming Loch will take place on Loch such as a pull buoy, is usually and 65km is trail running. Ness and includes 13 swim allowed, as are paddles for which alternate In recent years, many new sections of 8km total and seven the hands. Most swimmers trail running and SwimRun races have been runs equalling 47km. Ewan has also wear their running created including 60 across also put his name down for the footwear in the water for open-water Europe and now two new Loch Gu Loch with another speedier transitions and the events in Scotland. friend, Stuart Reid. wetsuit is worn for the runs. swimming in lakes The former high-ranking This month, Who is it for? Reserving a space Inch by Inch was completed Scottish triathlete from Glasgow The UK’s newest and largest National and lochs and Competent and experienced Nature Reserve, The Great Trossachs to great acclaim by 60 athletes. said: “The Loch Ness event looks far tougher and will emulate open-water swimmers and Forest, has taken a step closer to from island The race crossed numerous trail runners. reality after it was approved by islands, all starting with the the original Ötillö more closely. Scottish Natural Heritage. to island. word “inch”, and comprised I really like a big challenge and When can I do this? The Great Trossachs Forest NNR, 10 swims totalling around 8km this will be an amazing event.” There are events across Europe which lies at the heart of the Loch and 10 run sections totalling Stuart McInnes, the Loch Gu taking place throughout Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, around 25km. Participants also Loch founder, agrees the race is the year. is home to magnificent wildlife in an designed to be hard. He said: area within an hour’s drive of 80 per summited nearby Conic Hill. Contacts: For Scottish cent of Scotland’s population. David Ogg, of Lochwinnoch, “We wanted it to appeal to those events, see lochloman.word SNH chairman Ian Ross said: “I’m who triumphed in the Inch by who come from a fairly high press.com and lochguloch.com delighted that our board has given the Inch race with Ewan Mulhern competency level within sports The Swedish Otillo: www. go-ahead to the new Great Trossachs said: “The race seemed like like triathlon and trail running.” otilloswimrun.se Forest NNR. Covering 16,500 hectares something very different and Look out in 2016 for another Another famous event it will be Scotland’s largest reserve, that appealed to me. SwimRun Scotland event across takes place in Norway called with a variety of wildlife, habitats and the islands of the Outer landforms, including ancient woodland, “I come from a triathlon the Rockman SwimRun. See wet woodland and upland pasture.” Advice background and really enjoyed called SwimRun Hebrides. www.rockmanswimrun.com For more details, visit www. and thegreattrossachsforest.co.uk Join me on my adventures in Scotland’s great outdoors by checking out ideas my award-winning website at www.fionaoutdoors.co.uk – you’ll find lots of great information about walking, cycling, running, other outdoor activities and kit reviews.